SpaFinder, Inc., a global spa and wellness resource, today unveiled the winners of its 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards, honoring spa-goers’ favorite spas across the globe on six continents and in 35 countries/regions, along with their top 10 picks in 31 unique categories.

The 2010 Readers’ Choice program attracted an unprecedented level of worldwide consumer participation than ever before in the Awards’ eight-year history. More votes were cast, across more countries/regions and categories—providing the most comprehensive consumer assessment of the global spa market available.

Fresh faces take top honors

The significant number of new “faces” taking top honors this year is a reflection of the spa industry’s dynamism and diversity. The majority of Crystal Award recipients (top spa on each continent) and Country/Region winners changed from 2009 to 2010. Additionally, four out of six Crystal winners took home this coveted award for the first time, while 14 Country/Region recipients were first-time winners.

“This year’s roster of winners clearly demonstrates that a new generation of spas, and many ‘fresh faces,’ are attracting and wowing global travelers even while some of the tried and true continue to inspire,” noted Susie Ellis, president of SpaFinder, Inc. “Readers’ Choice is unique among awards programs in that it reflects the real opinions of real-world spa-goers. And now that there are more than 15,000 hotel, resort and destination spas worldwide, whether the spa is a repeat or first-time winner, it’s an extraordinary honor.”

Award recipients

In addition to nations traditionally recognized by the awards, 10 new spa markets were added in 2010: Bulgaria, Chile, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Morocco, Portugal, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. New 2010 Category Awards include “Favorite Day Spa,” “Best New Getaway Spa,” “Favorite Spa Treatment” and “Favorite Spa Product Brand.”

The 2010 Awards were based on votes submitted worldwide at SpaFinder, Inc.’s global consumer websites (includingSpaFinder.com) and by readers of SpaFinder publications. Voters were asked to cast ballots only for stay and day spas they’ve personally visited within the past three years. An asterisk (*) denotes a first-time winner in that awards category.

2010 Crystal Award Winners (top spas by continent)

The Crystal Award recognizes the No. 1 spa on each (habitable) continent. The 2010 standard-bearers are:

Africa: One&Only Cape Town* (Cape Town, South Africa)

Asia: Ananda in the Himalayas* (Narendra Nagar, India)

Australia: Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat (Queensland, Australia)

Europe: Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin* (Berlin)

North America: Golden Door* (California)

South America: Kurotel Longevity Center and Spa (Gramado, Brazil)

2010 Country/Region Winners

Awards were given for the favorite spa in 35 countries/regions. In addition to the Crystal Award (continent) winners named above (also taking top honors in their country), here are spa-goers’ global favorites:

Argentina: Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires

Austria: The Balance Resort*

Bulgaria: Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko

Canada: Ste. Anne’s Country Inn and Spa

Caribbean: Parrot Cay* (Turks and Caicos)

Central America: Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort (Costa Rica)

Chile: The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago

China (Hong Kong): Four Seasons Hotel*

China (Mainland): The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing*

Cyprus: Le Méridien Limassol Spa & Resort

The Czech Republic: Mandarin Oriental, Prague

Egypt: Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria

France: Guerlain Spa at Trianon Palace Versailles

Greece: Porto Elounda De Luxe Resort

Hungary: Danubius Hotel Gellért

Indonesia: Conrad Bali*

Ireland: Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa*

Italy: Lefay Resort & Spa Lago Di Garda*

Japan: The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo*

Malaysia: Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa

Maldives: One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives

Mexico: Rancho La Puerta

Morocco: La Mamounia

The Philippines: The Farm at San Benito*

Portugal: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

Russia: The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow

Scandinavia: Blue Lagoon* (Iceland)

Singapore: Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Singapore

South Pacific Islands: Four Seasons Resort and Spa Bora Bora*

Spain: SHA Wellness Clinic

Switzerland: VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa

Thailand: Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa

Turkey: Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus

United Arab Emirates: Burj Al Arab

United Kingdom: The Gleneagles Hotel* (Scotland)

2010 Category Award Winners

Spas (and their specialties) have never been more diverse. SpaFinder readers also cast votes for their favorite spas across 31 unique categories, from “Best for Affordability” to “Best for Men” to “Best for Romance.”